PHILLIES: Like CBP's grass, Phils' home play has been spotty

PHILADELPHIA — The sun-scorched grass in center field made it clear there had been a concert at Citizens Bank Park in the nearly two weeks since the Phillies had last played here.

“I haven’t walked around the grass yet,” Philies manager Charlie Manuel said, “but if there’s any way possible that that grass can hurt us, I’m sure it’ll jump up and do it.”

The Phillies’ woes within their South Philly home are well documented, with the five-time N.L. East champions entering Friday’s series opener against San Francisco tied with Seattle (17) and leading only Kansas City (16) for fewest home wins.

Much like that patchy outfield turf, their record at CBP is not pretty.

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To make matters worse, the Phillies will be opposed this weekend by the Giants’ top three starters. They squared off with right-hander Tim Lincecum Friday, before seeing righty Matt Cain and left-hander Barry Zito Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Even a scaled-down version of Lincecum (3-10, 5.93 ERA) is still Lincecum, a two-time Cy Young Award winner.

“They’ve got some good pitching. We’re going to see if we can score some runs against that good pitching,” Manuel said. “That’s what it boils down to — we’ve got to pitch good and we’ve got to score some runs.

“I think it’s got a chance to be a good series. We’ve got our lineup in there now.”

In not so many words, Manuel was saying he’s not making excuses for the Phillies, they of three straight games scoring no more than three runs. The crutch du joir upon which the Phillies have leaned are the ailments of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and their unpredictable returns to the big-league club. Both are back, both started Friday night.

So with everyone at his disposal, Manuel expects more run production.

“We should score some runs,” he said, succinctly.

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With the non-waiver trade deadline 10 days away, Manuel felt obligated to issue his daily dose of trade chatter. Manuel was asked if rampant rumors would equate to jittery players in his clubhouse.

“You ain’t got time to be worried about stuff like that,” he said. “If you do your job, things will take care of it. If I’m talking about mental toughness, which I am in some ways, this ain’t no pampered position to be in.

“I was a player for 20 years and nobody pampered me. Feeling sorry for yourself? No. You can’t do that. This is major league baseball and we’re a high-market team and we’re supposed to win games and we’re supposed to go get it. We’re supposed to be men. We’re supposed to be fighters. That’s kind of how I look at it.”

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And a quick update on two injured players:

Utilityman Laynce Nix suited up Friday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, attempting to shake a left calf strain that’s kept him on the disabled list since May 10. Nix, in the first season of a two-year deal, was batting .326 in 22 games for the Phillies.

“(Nix) is close. I understand he’s very close,” Manuel said. “Maybe we’ll get him sometime this week.”

Manuel said backup catcher Brian Schneider continues to work back from spraining his right ankle in collision at home plate June 24. Schneider was batting .232 in 26 games.

“I haven’t talked to the trainers today about Schneider, but he’s on a routine right now,” Manuel said. “As soon as they feel like he’s ready to go, I’m sure they’ll tell us.”